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Shahid Kapoor says Bollywood is not making enough good films, calls out ‘manufactured’ marketing in cinema

Shahid Kapoor discussed Bollywood's marketing issues in a recent podcast, emphasising the need for authentic audience reactions.

Published on: Jan 31, 2026, 17:25:21 IST
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Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor is all set to entertain fans with his upcoming film, O Romeo. The actor is currently busy promoting the movie and, in a recent podcast with Prakhar Gupta on his YouTube channel, Shahid spoke about Bollywood not creating enough good films and how manufactured marketing is hampering cinema.

Shahid Kapoor talks about manufactured marketing in film industry. (Instagram/Shahid Kapoor)
Shahid Kapoor talks about manufactured marketing in film industry. (Instagram/Shahid Kapoor)

Shahid Kapoor on manufactured marketing in Bollywood

Shahid discussed how an artist seeking an authentic reaction from the audience does not really align with manufactured marketing. He stated that he has never believed in artificial PR cycles and added that while marketing is necessary for everyone, one has to consider how much of it is right and how much is wrong. He said, “People don’t understand, but it’s a miracle of life — that a room full of people is actually clapping, whistling and acknowledging you, giving you status above their own. It’s a very beautiful thing. That’s why art is special. But when that purity starts to be disrupted, and something manufactured comes into it, it no longer feels the same.”

The actor further spoke about the audience’s shrinking attention span when it comes to watching longer formats, compared to earlier. He said, “See, the candle is burning from both ends. The audience is losing patience; their minds can’t focus. They need stimulation, they need breaks, because it’s a dopamine hit. The creators are doing the same to themselves, so when they try to focus and work, their ability to create is compromised. It’s not that the audience doesn’t want to watch films; it’s also that we are not making as many good films as we should. So it’s a two-way process.”

About Shahid Kapoor’s upcoming film

Written and directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, O Romeo is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under the banner of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. The action thriller is based on the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai by Hussain Zaidi and stars Shahid Kapoor, Triptii Dimri, Nana Patekar, Avinash Tiwary, Tamannaah Bhatia, Disha Patani, Farida Jalal and Vikrant Massey in key roles. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on February 13.

  • Riya Sharma
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Riya Sharma

    Riya Sharma is a content producer at Hindustan Times who lives and breathes entertainment. If there’s gossip making noise in Bollywood or a reality show moment breaking the internet, chances are she’s already writing about it. She loves digging out the juiciest stories, spotting viral pegs and turning it into easy-to-read content. A journalism graduate from IP University, Riya began her career as a social media executive, where she learned the art of grabbing attention in a scroll-heavy world. But her love for showbiz soon pulled her into entertainment journalism, because for her, it’s always been entertainment, entertainment and more entertainment. An artist at heart, Riya has a deep passion for acting, music and dance, which shapes how she watches and writes about films and reality shows. She loves sharing her views and reviews, especially when something excites, surprises or completely disappoints her. A hardcore reality show fan, Riya enjoys tracking every twist, task and meltdown, and breaking them down for readers who can’t get enough of high-voltage drama. Movies are equally close to her heart, whether it’s a big theatrical release or a binge-worthy OTT series, she’s always watching, and analysing what’s worth the time. She loves talking to celebrities, asking questions that go beyond the usual. When she’s not working, she’s either glued to a new web series, hunting for underrated thrillers on OTT platforms, or rewatching iconic Bollywood moments.Read More

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